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Sunday, January 31, 2010

Here is a wonderful writing opportunity for young muslim girls everywhere!!

Muslim American Girl magazine is seeking submissions for a unique online magazine for muslim girls growing up in America. It was created by a 14 year old muslimah, Shabnam M, to help young muslimahs feel like they are not alone, that there are other young muslimahs out there going through some of the same obstacles that young muslims go through growing up in America. MAGazine will give young muslimahs an arena to showcase their creativity and share their experiences and grow to be upstanding muslim women leaders in the future.

I highly encourage mothers, especially those who home-school, to encourage their daughters to submit to this unique magazine. There are a wide variety of topics needed, crafts, photography/art, recipes, school, faith, health, book reviews, letter to the editor, and so much more!! Check out the website with your daughters! It is a worthwhile adventure!!

Saturday, January 9, 2010

HEART Women & Girls is committed to empowering women and girls in faith-based and community settings by providing health promotion programming and services and promoting strategies teaching women and girls to connect a healthy mind, body, and soul and achieve an overall sense of well-being.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Writing is fun when your imagination is on a roll and your pen (or keyboard) is writing away. But every once in a while, a writer slams into a wall of blanks. That wall is called writer's block, a massive blockade that subdues creativity, drains imagination and tires the pen (or keyboard.) But every block is meant to be overcome. Every writer, amateur or professional, has his or her own way of creatively getting pass writer's block. Here are a few of my techniques of over coming the creative blockade.

* Find your writing zone. I like to find a comfortable place to be in before I write. Everyday is different. Sometimes, I like to write in my room curled up on my bed where it is quiet. Other times, I like to be in an open area where I can find inspiration all around me.

* Try to write everyday, even if it is in a journal. Writing everyday allows you to keep your creativity at its maximum. I write about everything, that happens at work, things I see in my day, or sometime I even describe a pretty flower or cute animal.

* Write about things you like or are familiar with. Writing about something you don't like or have no knowledge about can be a chore and sometimes unpleasant. I try to write about things I like, usually stories, poems or activities geared towards children as I am a teacher of young children. But if you have to, give yourself adequate time to learn as much as you can about the subject you are writing about before you start writing.

* Read other writings for inspiration and motivation. Sometimes, I find it beneficial and helpful to read other writings. Reading is very important to the writer. You can't be a good writer if you are not a good reader. Read writing that is both similar to your genre and writing that is different. I like to write children's fiction, but I love to read fiction for adults and non-fiction. The satisfaction of reading a good book, story, poem or article also reminds the writer why they should keep going!

* Use writing prompts when you hit writer's block. Writer's Block is bound to happen, so don't let it get you down. If you happen to find that you don't know what to write about or that you just don't have anything to write about, use writing prompts to give you a jump start. Prompts can also be a lot of fun and be wonderful starts to other writing projects.

* Give yourself writing incentives. Writing incentives are great and fun! I love to buy new writing pads and pencils or pens. I have also taken writing classes to motivate me to write more and even started blogs and a website to share my work. It is important, however, to make sure your incentives are important to you or else you wont be motivated by them.

* Surround yourself with positive reinforcement and encouragement. Nothing is more important that being around like minded people who support and encourage you. Join writing groups and clubs. It is a wonderful way to meet other writers and share writing tips and advice from both amateurs and professionals. I belong to a few writing groups that have proven very beneficial. Everyone gives constructive criticism and encouragement to help me increase my writing skills.

* If all else fails, take a break from writing. There are times when no matter what, your brain just does not want to cooperate with your creativity and imagination. When that happens, don't force it; take a break. Relax your mind; enjoy other activities or, one of my favorites, simply take a nap. God has given your body rights over you, that includes your brain, where your creative processing occurs.

Friday, January 1, 2010

Do you like to draw? Art is a wonderful way to express ones creativity. If you like to draw, then this contest is just for you. Family Reads is hosting an art contest featuring local masajid around the world. Young artists, you are invited to participate in the contest by submitting hand-drawn or computer drawn illustrations of the local masjid you attend. Please include a 50-100 word description of your masjid, ie name, location, history, what makes your masjid unique or special. Winning art work will be featured on Family Reads. Please send submissions to familyreads@ymail.com and type "My Masjid art contest" in the subject line.